Post # 1
Member
385 posts
Helper bee
I’m about to start contacting DJs for quotes – and I’m trying to decide whether I want a DJ for both the cocktail hour and the reception or just the reception.
Thinking back to all the weddings that I’ve been to, I can’t remember whether there was music during the cocktail hour or not at any of them! I guess that means it doesn’t really matter whether there’s music or not during cocktail hour since I didn’t even notice it, so maybe I should save the money and just hire the DJ for the reception – but I was just wondering what everyone else thought.
Post # 3
Member
6015 posts
Bee Keeper
I know i’ve heard music during the cocktail hour, but seriously that is the time your trying to talk to people you haven’t seen in ages, and later in the reception it can get a bit loud, or your not at the same table. I say if it’s a significant amount of money … you could do with out.
Post # 4
Member
5797 posts
Bee Keeper
I only remember cocktail hour music when the bride/groom do something really cool. One wedding had an awesome Frank Sinatra impersonator. So in your case I’m not sure the DJ is going to be memorable enough to be worth the expense.
Post # 5
Member
1962 posts
Buzzing bee
I can’t remember one time I have heard it. No wedding has ever had live music. I prob would only remember if someone had a talented mariachi or Spanish/acoustic guitarist. Like a harpist would totes be lost in the din of the weddings I’ve been to, and could be easily replaced by a nice recorded soundtrack. Save moola, have more booze. HAHA! That’s going to be my mantra.
Post # 6
Member
1030 posts
Bumble bee
We’re meeting with a DJ tomorrow and I’m planning to ask if his speakers, etc will already be set up – we’d love to just iPod the cocktail hour (easy enough) and pay for 4 hours of DJ just for the reception.
Post # 7
Member
247 posts
Helper bee
We are having an acoustic guitar player for the ceremony and cocktail hour and then a DJ for the reception. It would have been cheaper to just go with a DJ for the whole time but I really wanted some live music.
Post # 8
Member
53 posts
Worker bee
I think it would depend on if the coctail hour and dinner be in the same room. If so, see if the dj can come and set up early. So that way, your guest won’t be sitting there watching them drag all of their equipment in to play your music.
I went to a wedding once and the chose to have a stereo playing during the cocktail hour which was taking place in the same room as the dinner. Which was fine, but when the dj came and had all of their crew dragging in speakers and equipment, it made a lot of us think the dj was running late or they were just unorganized.
If they are in separate locations, I would say just have a ipod or a few cd’s playing in the background during cocktail hour.
Good luck!
Post # 9
Member
759 posts
Busy bee
I have never been to a wedding that had music at the cocktail hour unless it’s something just played over the speakers. Usually we are too busy socializing and eating the apps to really notice, and I didn’t miss it at all.
Although I think it would bea cool idea to have a DJ or a band playing during the cocktail hour .
Post # 10
Member
385 posts
Helper bee
@MissBoston: oh, that’s a very smart idea! i will definitely ask our DJs if this is a possibility.
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